Hudson City Council approves purchase of Jeep for rig

The Hudson Fire Department has moved one step closer to receiving a much-needed, outfitted grass rig.

The Hudson City Council at its meeting Tuesday approved a purchase authorization for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler as the base vehicle.

The council approved the request to buy the vehicle from Greg Bell Chevrolet of Adrian for up to $19,500. A $15,000 donation, made in the fall of 2011 by a donor who requested anonymity, was given to the fire department as “seed money” with the express stipulation that the funds be used to buy a new grass rig.

The department’s current vehicle is a 1996 model and is “nearing the end of its life,” Hudson Fire Chief Jerry Tanner Jr. said at the March 19 meeting, when the topic was first discussed.

The balance of the purchase will come from the fire department’s fund balance, city officials said, with the purchase itself expected to be done in the next several days.

Tanner said the department will seek additional donations for a firefighting package to complete the grass rig. In the meantime, the Jeep could still be used in a limited way once equipped with lights, siren and a radio.

Since the donation was made, the fire department has raised approximately $800 to go toward the purchase. On March 19, Tanner said he could outfit — with basic equipment — a used or smaller vehicle for approximately $26,000. A new, fully outfitted vehicle could be purchased for $45,000 to $50,000. The department was to return the money to the donor if a new grass rig could not be purchased.

The original donor has been contacted, Hartsel said, and supports the Jeep purchase.